Winter hiking

The winter hiking map for Saxon Switzerland presents 35 particularly attractive tours - from simple walks to demanding hiking adventures. On every hiking route, there is at least one open winter refreshment stop. In addition to the route description, the winter hiking map also provides an overview of viewpoints, winter excursion destinations, and leisure experiences. Furthermore, 20 winter walks along the Malerweg are included for the first time. 

The difficulty level of a route is color-coded:

blue - easy tour, mostly flat, often cleared, almost always walkable

red - moderate tour, with slight inclines, possibly difficult in deep snow and 

black - difficult tour, with steep ascents, steps and on paths, not always passable in snow and icy conditions

Winter hiking is not only beautiful but also wonderfully uncomplicated. However, beginners should not start walking completely thoughtlessly. Just like in road traffic, you should prepare for winter conditions on the hiking trails. In Saxon Switzerland, these are not cleared of snow and ice.

You should be quite careful especially on narrow and steeper paths, particularly on stairs, steps, and ladders. Hiking poles or ice cleats that can be strapped under your shoes can improve "off-road mobility" - but they do not replace caution!!! You can rent these ice cleats at the Tourist Service in Bad Schandau.

In case of black ice, winter hikes should generally be avoided for safety reasons.

Winter hiking on the Malerweg? Absolutely! The route is accessible all year round if the weather is suitable. However, the official daily stages of up to 18 kilometers are a challenge for winter hiking beginners and, with walking times of up to seven hours, sometimes too long for short winter days. For the 20th birthday of the Malerweg, there is for the first time a collection of the most beautiful short tours along the route. With lengths between approx. 2 and 7 kilometers and walking times of a maximum of 2:45 hours, the walks lead directly to the highlights of the individual daily stages. The 20 hiking destinations include famous table mountains and viewpoints such as Brand, Kaiserkrone, Wolfsberg, Papststein, Gohrisch and Pfaffenstein, as well as imposing rock formations such as Kuhstall, Kleinsteinhöhle and Gautschgrotte. The Uttewalder Grund with its wild and romantic rock world and the famous Königstein Fortress are also included. 

The Kuhstall is the largest rock arch in Saxon Switzerland. From the cave, you have a breathtaking panoramic view of the Affenstein massif. If you then climb the "Stairway to Heaven", this view is enhanced even further. From up here, a unique rocky backdrop opens up. By the way, stopping for a bite to eat at the Bergwirtschaft Kuhstall is also unique.

The Papststein impresses with its breathtaking panoramic view over Saxon Switzerland. After a nearly ten-minute ascent, which incidentally is illuminated in the dark, you have already climbed the table mountain. Highly recommended is also a stop at the extremely cozy Bergwirtschaft auf dem Papststein!

Tip: Right next to the Papststein is the Gohrisch with similarly great views.

Thanks to its location on the edge, Neustadt is one of the insider tips among winter holiday destinations in Saxon Switzerland. Those looking for peace and quiet will find it on one of the lonely winter hiking routes through the idyllic surroundings. This includes the Ungerberg. From the approx. 33 m high Prince George Tower, you have a wonderful view into the Neustadt Valley and as far as Saxon & Bohemian Switzerland. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the Jizera Mountains and Giant Mountains.

A Babylonian confusion of languages in summer – heavenly silence in winter. In the cold season, only a few visitors make it to the Bastei. The chances are good that you will have even the most beautiful views all to yourself. There you can enjoy not only the panorama, but also the infectious peace of the hibernating national park. The following viewpoints should be seen in the Bastei area: Pavillonaussicht, Wehlsteinaussicht, Ferdinandstein, Bastei Bridge.

Perched high above the town on a lofty rock, Hohnstein Castle is a popular excursion destination. You can get this spectacular view of the castle from the Hohnstein Kasper Trail.

Tip: If you are already in Hohnstein, you should definitely not miss a hike to the Brand. The path from the castle town to here is one of the most popular routes for winter hikers: easy to reach, well developed, and with a cozy lodge where a log fire crackles. The spectacular 180-degree panorama at the Brand has earned the viewpoint the nickname "Balcony of Saxon Switzerland".

The insider tip among the mountain inns in Saxon Switzerland is the Wachbergbaude on the mountain ridge of the same name near Saupsdorf, far back in the Hintere Sächsische Schweiz near the Bohemian border. Up on the "Crown of Saxon Switzerland," two snowy owls snuggled closely together await you. Right next to them, up here, you can enjoy such a unique distant view into Bohemia and to the Affensteine.

The Saxon Switzerland has not only great landscape motifs to offer, but also historical old town backdrops. Canaletto already appreciated this in Pirna. To reach this viewpoint, it is best to start at the market square of Pirna and undertake an entertaining hike, which is more like a winter stroll. Past St. Mary's Church, the path leads on historical paving up to the Schlossberg, where Sonnenstein Castle stands high above the city. From up here you have this magnificent view of Pirna and on a clear day you can even see as far as Dresden. For the rest of the way, follow the red "C" on a yellow background, always along below the old fortress walls.

For everyone who only wants to take a short walk and still see a lot, this viewpoint is particularly suitable. From the center of Bad Schandau, you go directly up the mountain with the Historical Elevator. Here you have a wonderful view over the town into the Elbe Valley and to the Lilienstein, which seems to throne over it all. And if it is to take a bit longer, then you can take a walk from here to Ostrau or even into the Schrammsteine area.

What fascinating formations! Two massive rock pillars reach into the sky like weathered statues, slightly crooked and with heads that are far too heavy. As a result, they appear both strong and fragile at the same time. The "Hercules Pillars" are among the most spectacular rocks in Saxon Switzerland. They are not only popular climbing peaks but also the landmarks of a hiking paradise that is still an insider tip: Rosenthal-Bielatal. The municipality lies somewhat off the beaten tourist paths. Those seeking silence will find it here. The landscape here is as diverse as in hardly any other part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. There are also adventurous paths with stairs and ladders leading up to uplifting viewpoints.

Tip: Kaiser Wilhelm Feste and Joahnniswacht Viewpoint